I'm not sure if this really qualifies as a New Year's resolution, but I thought I would use the occasion to make a little promise to anyone who regularly stops by the ol' GMC. I was checking some of the links in the left column and realized that a couple lead to blogs and/or websites … Continue reading Something Resembling A New Year’s Resolution
Category: Nostalgia
Fontella Bass And Her Song
Although she should not be labeled a 'one-hit wonder', it's difficult to think about Fontella Bass and not immediately remember her signature song, 1965's "Rescue Me." The talented R&B singer, who was 72 when she died in her home city of St. Louis on December 26th, had several other good-charting records during her career, but … Continue reading Fontella Bass And Her Song
West Coast Jazz Pioneer Abe Lyman
The recent death of jazz icon Dave Brubeck was marked by a ton of articles (including one on the GMC) and many of them mentioned that he was part of the West Coast jazz movement. Although I think he transcended any kind of label, I thought I'd dig a little deeper into that style of … Continue reading West Coast Jazz Pioneer Abe Lyman
How I Turned Into A Grumpy Snow Hermit
As I write this, we're facing a weather forecast that calls for about a zillion inches of snow, and I find myself dreading it. Thinking about that feeling makes me realize that I've turned into a grumpy snow hermit -- someone who just wants to stay inside and hope it all goes away. But I … Continue reading How I Turned Into A Grumpy Snow Hermit
Merry Christmas To All!
Rosemary Clooney - "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" Mel Torme - "The Christmas Song"
Leo Watson – Something Different In Holiday Music
For some reason, Christmas seems to have really taken the ol' GMC by surprise this year. Usually I post one or two holiday-themed pieces in the days leading up to the big day, but I guess I've just fallen asleep this time around. Maybe I can remedy that by featuring something really different -- scat-singing … Continue reading Leo Watson – Something Different In Holiday Music
Dorothy Shay – The Park Avenue Hillbilly
If you were a dedicated fan of The Waltons, the iconic 1970s TV show that was a huge hit for many years, you might remember that one of the teens - Jason - was musically inclined, and that he sometimes risked his mother's wrath by entertaining in an area roadhouse, the venerable Dew Drop Inn. … Continue reading Dorothy Shay – The Park Avenue Hillbilly
The Quotations Had A Lot Of Imagination
It's always fun to listen to a doo-wop group sing the rhythmic gibberish that was often part of the music. You know the kind I mean -- 'papa ooma mau mau' and the like. One of the best was a Brooklyn-based quartet known as the Quotations, who not only had all the odd sounds down … Continue reading The Quotations Had A Lot Of Imagination
Fantastic Foursome Inspired By Amy Winehouse
I would guess that most folks of my generation think that a big percentage of modern music stars seem to be a big deal today but are forgotten tomorrow, often because of a lack of talent. But there are exceptions, even if it takes a while for a geezer like me to catch on -- … Continue reading Fantastic Foursome Inspired By Amy Winehouse
Onie Wheeler’s Surprising Finale
Revisiting a point I've made before, there were a lot of traditional country music artists who spent at least part of their careers performing what would become known as rockabilly. Guys like Onie Wheeler, who was never a big star but did enjoy a long, solid career before dying in 1984, in a way that … Continue reading Onie Wheeler’s Surprising Finale
Geezer Music Club 